I'm trying to conserve argon. It's $42 including tax per 150 cf bottle here in NC and I'm running thru it too fast. I've always had my flow rate at 15 cfm like mom taught me but I'm experimenting dialing it down. I've got it down to 13 cfm now with no apparent problems. I have the cheap dial type flow gauge that came with the machine.
I should also describe my setup and welds. Dynasty 200 at 200A, 3/32 lanthanated electrode, gas lenses with #7 cup. I'm doing fillets at various angles with 3/16 throats in A500 structural steel. Using E70S-6 filler and 2 second post flow. I weld for 1.5 minutes and wait 6 minutes. I would estimate my travel speed at 1.5" per minute. (I realize a pro would probably use a bigger machine for this. I'm and owner/builder and this equipment will have to do.)
My main question is: Is it always obvious to the eye when welding if you are not using enough argon on low carbon steel?
--zeb